Selma is part of the Raleigh area. This page covers the whole metro.
How locals describe Raleigh
The words residents use most, from 104 comments on Reddit, City-Data and Quora. Bigger means more people said it. Tap a word to read what they said.
"If rent is about 1600 you will have 1866/month for everything else, definitely enough to be comfortable with a modest lifestyle."
"There are quite a few areas where rush hour traffic backs up from 6:30 until 9:30 AM and then again from 4:30 until 7:30 PM."
Big-city feel, Growing, Lively
Scored the same way as the quiz, against 813 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when Raleigh scores 70 or higher out of 100.
Less so: cozy.
A walk through Raleigh
Places residents talk about, in their words. Each photo is of the place named.
Look around Raleigh
Google Street View near the center of town, taken 2016-01. Drag to turn, click the street to move.
Open in Google MapsPhotos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
What Raleigh is known for
Every year
MayArtsplosure: Downtown arts festival with visual art and live musicvisitraleigh.com
SepHopscotch Music Festival: Music festival in downtown Raleighvisitraleigh.com
OctNorth Carolina State Fair: Large state fair with rides, food and agriculture exhibitsthetriangleweekender.com
On a normal week
Riding the Pullen Park Carouselen.wikipedia.org
Visiting the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciencesvisitraleigh.com
Walking Fayetteville Street downtownen.wikipedia.org
Spending time at North Hills shopping and park areaen.wikipedia.org
Around Raleigh
Take a tour of Raleigh
"The ULTIMATE Downtown Raleigh North Carolina Walking Tour" by Living in Raleigh NC (THE ORIGINAL), on YouTube. Not made by Varro.
Raleigh feels easy and safe to live in, though some say it lacks cultural depth.
“It's an easy and safe place to live but lacks culture. Plenty of open spaces. 2 hours to the beach. Housing prices are higher than most places.”
Read the full commentPosted Jan. 2026One resident said Durant Nature Preserve is their go-to trail, and Bass Lake Park and the Neuse river trail are also great.
“Durant Nature Preserve is my go-to. Bass Lake Park (Holly Springs) Neuse river trail near Archers Lodge is great. Around nice homes, paved,...”
Read the full commentPosted Aug. 2024Buffalo Athletic Park has a nature trail, and the Riverwalk in Hillsborough is also worth visiting.
“Buffalo Athletic Park has a great nature trail. If you are up for a short drive the Riverwalk in Hillsborough is nice.”
Read the full commentPosted Jan. 2026The beach is roughly two hours away, giving one resident an easy weekend escape option.
“It's an easy and safe place to live but lacks culture. Plenty of open spaces. 2 hours to the beach. Housing prices are higher than most places.”
Read the full commentPosted Jan. 2026“It's an easy and safe place to live but lacks culture”
One resident recommends Pho Far East as the best pho in NC along with several other favorite restaurants.
“Pho Far East (best pho in NC). Second Empire. Player's Retreat (great scotch and rare ground-on-site burgers).”
Posted Nov. 2024One resident said Durant Nature Preserve is their go-to trail, and Bass Lake Park and the Neuse river trail are also great.
“Durant Nature Preserve is my go-to. Bass Lake Park (Holly Springs) Neuse river trail near Archers Lodge is great.”
Posted Aug. 2024Wake County schools are viewed as a strong reason to choose this area over nearby states.
“I would also pick Wake County over others as the school options seem to be better”
Posted Dec. 2023One resident lists favorite bars like Person Street Bar, Landmark, William & Co, and Natural Science for nice weather outings.
“I love going to Person Street Bar or Landmark when it's nice out… also, William & co….”
Posted July 2025From 10 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident says Kings is hands down the best venue in the triangle, along with Cat's Cradle, The Pinhook and Chapel of Bones.
“Kings is definitely the best venue in the triangle. cradle and the pinhook, Chapel of Bones! Kings is hands down the best venue in Raleigh...”
Read the full commentPosted July 2026One resident lists favorite events including the Raleigh Bluegrass Festival, Playthrough Gaming Convention, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival and IBMA's.
“The Raleigh bluegrass festival. Playthrough Gaming Convention. Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival. The renaissance fair in huntersville. IBMA's...”
Read the full commentPosted May 2024One resident tries to attend Nevermore Horror Film Festival, Hopscotch, SparkCon and the Great Durham Pun Championship in the Triangle.
“In the Triangle in general, I tend to try to make it to Nevermore Horror Film Festival, Hopscotch, SparkCon, the Great Durham Pun Championship,...”
Read the full commentPosted April 2018. Things may have changed since.One resident recommends the Raleigh Discord server for meetups like game nights, hiking, and book clubs.
“Checkout the Raleigh Discord server where we have many meetups such as game nights, hiking, book clubs, and more! Group activities are good way...”
Read the full commentPosted June 2025One resident shared a link to a Raleigh Transplants meetup group and appreciated the suggestions received
“Looks like there's a Raleigh Transplants meetup group! Here's the link: https://www.meetup.com/raleightransplants/...”
Read the full commentPosted Jan. 2022. Things may have changed since.One resident found it easier to make new friends in Durham than in Raleigh based on personal experience
“It was easier for me to make new friends in Durham than Raleigh . Again that was my personal experience and I will suggest you try both...”
Read the full commentPosted Sept. 2022. Things may have changed since.One resident recommended using apps like Hinge for dating in the triangle, finding it better than Bumble for those over 30.
“if you're looking to get back into the dating scene immediately, use apps: in the triangle I found hinge to be the best for 30+, bumble was meh.”
Read the full commentPosted Nov. 2023One resident shared that after years of dating in Raleigh they ended up meeting and marrying their partner through Tinder.
“I dated in Raleigh from the age of 27 to 36. Ended up meeting my wife on Tinder of all places. We have now been married for 3 years and together...”
Read the full commentPosted Oct. 2024One resident said the dating pool is smaller than in LA but they never had trouble meeting intelligent, funny, successful, and cute men
“The dating pool is obviously smaller than LA, but I never had problems meeting intelligent men that were funny, successful and cute. A lot will...”
Read the full commentPosted March 2024One resident says they are having a hard time meeting people and going out despite wanting to grow their social life.
“I'm having a hard time meeting people & just going out in general. I really do want to grow my social life but am having a hard time getting out...”
Read the full commentPosted Aug. 2026One resident likes Raleigh Brewing Company for its good beer and comfy chairs near Meredith.
“Raleigh Brewing Company is down across from Meredith, a block off Hillsborough. Good beer and couple of comfy chairs tucked back in the corner.”
Read the full commentPosted Jan. 2020. Things may have changed since.One resident lists favorite bars like Person Street Bar, Landmark, William & Co, and Natural Science for nice weather outings.
“I love going to Person Street Bar or Landmark when it's nice out… also, William & co…..and I almost left out Natural Science bar (it's right by...”
Read the full commentPosted July 2025One resident new to the area has mostly gone out with friends on Glenwood to drink.
“I’m 23 and moved to Downtown Raleigh back in February. My friends (all between 23-26) and I have mostly been going out to drink on Glenwood,...”
Read the full commentPosted Oct. 2025One resident says traffic has gotten worse in recent years despite the area being beautiful and welcoming
“I really love Raleigh it's beautiful and most people are kind and welcoming. The drivers here are terrible. In recent years traffic has gotten...”
Read the full commentPosted Nov. 2025One resident realized after moving that they are a city person and misses the culture and nature access of Seattle
“Raleigh is a perfectly fine place to live but I learned I am a city girl. I miss the culture of Seattle and access to the best nature in the US.”
Read the full commentPosted July 2025One resident describes their neighborhood as tight-knit with wildlife like lightning bugs and kids playing in yards together
“My neighborhood is a tight-knit community with tons of wildlife. I can see lightning bugs at night and kids playing in everyones yard during the...”
Read the full commentPosted June 2026One resident who lived there 2.5 years felt the overall community vibe was not for them despite meeting a few nice people
“I've been here 2.5 years and about to move to Charlotte. I've met a couple nice people here. But overall, the general vibe was just not for me.”
Read the full commentPosted Aug. 2026Recent stories from local outlets. Tap a headline to read it.
About 4,184 business locations in the Raleigh area, employing about 83,997 people. That's about the usual U.S. share.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.
One resident listed favorite coworking and remote work spots including RTP and a spot near NCSU.
“RTP has co working spaces. Jubala across from the NCSU bell tower is my fav place to remote work! Sola and the Starbucks inside the Westin in...”
Read the full commentPosted Dec. 2024Pick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
One resident says fall in Raleigh is absolutely perfect from October through late December, though winter may surprise newcomers.
“Fall here is absolutely perfect from October through late December. Also editing just to add that while you might feel prepared for the winters...”
Read the full commentPosted July 2026Around Raleigh
What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the Raleigh area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Biking and trails
Within 5 miles of the center of the Raleigh area.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.
Buses and trains
Health care
Nearest hospital with an emergency room: Wakemed, Raleigh Campus in Raleigh, about 3 miles away in a straight line.
Costs of moving here
What rent costs
Of about 177,116 rented homes in the Raleigh area, 85% rent for under $2,000 a month and 98% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
What moving costs
Average cost: $1,946
From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.
The middle rented home in the Raleigh area rents for $1,000 to $1,499 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $2,000 to $2,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $3,000 to $4,497 where landlords also ask for last month.
Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,000 to $1,499, that's a yearly income of about $36,000 to $53,964.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Moving to North Carolina: before and after
- Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
- Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the North Carolina DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address: North Carolina voter registration.
- Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
- Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.
Schools and childcare
Schools
One public school district serves this county, with about 159,778 students. The county also has 25 public charter schools and 66 private schools. Which public school serves a home depends on its address.
Closest public schools to the center of Raleigh
Straight-line miles from the center of Raleigh, nearest first. Being closest doesn't mean a school serves a given home. "Passed the state test" is the share of students who scored proficient or better on North Carolina's own reading and math tests in the 2021-22 school year, the latest year the U.S. Department of Education has published for every school. Each state sets its own test and passing bar, so compare schools within the same state, not across states. Test results track family income closely and leave out a lot (teachers, programs, how a school fits your child). For newer results, see the state's school report card.
Public school districts in the county
School choice and pre-K in North Carolina
School choice: state law as summarized by the Education Commission of the States, 50-State Comparison: Open Enrollment Policies (2022). Pre-K: share of children in state-funded pre-K, National Institute for Early Education Research, State of Preschool 2025 Yearbook (2024-25 school year).
Special education in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Department of Education, 2026 determinations on state implementation of IDEA Part B (issued June 18, 2026).
What residents say about schools
"I would also pick Wake County over others as the school options seem to be better"reddit.com · Posted Dec. 2023
One resident's view each, in their own words. Experiences differ by school, grade and family.
NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Private schools: NCES Private School Survey, 2021-22. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For programs and newer results, see each district's site and the state's school report card.
Childcare and colleges
North Carolina keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.
| Age | Daycare center | Home daycare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $307/week about $16,000 a year | $217/week about $11,300 a year |
| Toddler (2) | $251/week about $13,100 a year | |
| Preschool (3 to 4) | $189/week about $9,800 a year | $202/week about $10,500 a year |
| School-age | $99/week about $5,100 a year |
For an infant at a center: $307/week here, $220 across NC, $259 across the U.S.. Full-time infant care at a center here costs about 13% of a typical family's income. These are 2022 prices, the newest the government has published by county, and prices have gone up since.
10 colleges in the county and the wider metro around Raleigh. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.
Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less, and community colleges often charge even less to people who live in their district. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.
IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.
More towns in North Carolina →